Chapter Twenty-Two: Reunion
Chapter Twenty-Two: Reunion

"Where are we?" Michael asked, looking around, "and man, do I ever feel jetlagged." Max noticed a silver handprint on the wall. "We're home," he said, grinning, "we're back in the cave." Isabel could barely contain her glee. "Home?" she squealed, "really, truly, home?" Tess laughed out loud. "I'm so happy, I feel like crying! Does that make any sense?" "Come on!" Max yelled, racing from the cave.

**

"Here we are." Isabel wiped a tear from her cheek. They stood before the Crashdown, finding that it hadn't changed a bit. "Guys!" Michael called, jogging towards them with a newspaper in his hand. "What is it?" Tess asked. "According to this, two years have passed." "Two years?" Max repeated, "oh god." Isabel licked her lips, nodding at the restaurant. "Let's go see if anyone's still around."

**

They had to use their powers to unlock the door. "Feels good to have these back," Michael mentioned with a grin. They stepped inside, taking a look around. Max's eyes fell on 'his' booth and he smiled. "Sorry, we're closed!" came a call from the back. Michael's heart jumped into his throat. Slim legs made their way out the swinging door, a tub of dirty dishes in her arms. "Maria …?" Michael took a shaky step forward. Maria looked up, shaking her head slowly in shock. The large square tub fell to the ground, dishes tumbling out and breaking into tiny pieces. "Michael?" she whispered, putting a hand over her mouth. He nodded, moving closer to her. "It's me," he said, his voice choked, "we're back." She half-laughed, half-sobbed and threw herself into his arms. He buried his face in her neck. "Oh god, I missed you!" she cried, running her hands over his back, his hair, still not truly believing that it was he. He pulled back, pushing the hair from her eyes. "I love you," he whispered. "I love you too." He laughed and crashed his lips onto hers.

**

"They think we're dead?" Isabel repeated, her voice a whisper. Maria nodded, reaching for Michael's hand, unable to stop touching him. "We had funerals and everything. This was after we received Larek's letter. We didn't think you'd ever come home. Valenti agreed that it was the only way." Tess leaned back in the booth, letting out a long, tremulous breath. "God, Max," Isabel said, "our parents. Imagine what they felt. Both of us … gone." Max placed his arm around her shoulder in comfort.

"Tess!" Kyle's voice boomed in the near-empty restaurant. Tess yelped happily, jumping from her seat and launching herself into his arms. "Oh, man, you feel so good!" Kyle cried, burying his face in her hair, breathing in her familiar scent. Tess pulled away, covering his face with kisses. They both laughed joyously, returning to hug each other once more.

Michael shifted Maria into his lap, playing with her long tendrils, and wiping the tears of happiness from her cheeks. Max and Isabel exchanged a look, each longing to reunite with their true loves. Finally, Max could stand it no more. "I, uh, hate to interrupt," he said, clearing his throat impatiently. Tess gripped Kyle's hand tightly and brought him back to the booth. Maria looked up at Max, noticing his expression. "Oh, Max," she whispered sorrowfully, "Liz isn't here. She's gone."